MGM Resorts heavily affected by cyberattack: Here’s what you need to know
Various MGM Resorts International properties across the U.S. on Monday faced a "cybersecurity issue" that caused the gaming giant to temporarily shutter computer systems across the country.
The issue first began Sunday, the Associated Press reported. The cyberattack is believed to affect properties in Nevada, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York and Ohio. MGM Resorts is the largest casino operator in Las Vegas, where it has some of the best-known resorts on the Las Vegas Strip, including the MGM Grand, Bellagio, Cosmopolitan, Aria, Mandalay Bay, Luxor, New York-New York, Excalibur and Park MGM.
The company's reservations system appears to be down, and the website directs customers to make reservations or contact a concierge. The website previously offered a list of phone numbers to call by property, but it was directing customers as of Wednesday afternoon to book show tickets via Ticketmaster and noted guests with check-in dates through Sept. 17 had the option to change or cancel their reservation free of charge.
Social media reports indicate slot machines are out of service, and company emails, reservations and room keys are also affected by the attack.
The online sports betting platform BetMGM's Nevada website appeared to be down as of Monday afternoon, while the platform's websites in other states, such as Massachusetts, appeared to be functioning as normal.
An MGM Resorts spokesperson did not respond to TPG's request for comment, but a company statement on X — the social media platform formerly known as Twitter — noted, "MGM Resorts recently identified a cybersecurity issue affecting some of the Company's systems" and that it had notified law enforcement agencies.
The company posted late Monday night that "dining, entertainment and gaming are currently operational" and that guests were able to access their hotel rooms. As of Tuesday morning, MGM's reservations website was still down and directing customers to various phone numbers.
Cyberattacks on the rise in the travel sector
MGM's cybersecurity woes are the latest in a rise in cyberattacks on various hotel companies in recent years. Caesars Entertainment reportedly paid tens of millions of dollars to hackers who breached the MGM Resorts rival's IT systems in recent weeks, Bloomberg reported Wednesday. The ransom payment was to thwart the hackers, who first targeted Caesars in late August, from leaking customer data.
IHG Hotels & Resorts faced a cyberattack last September that crippled its own computer systems and left residual problems in its loyalty system in the weeks that followed.
A network of cyberattacks in 2021 involved at least 11 global airlines, including United Airlines and American Airlines in the U.S., after cybercriminals targeted travel technology provider SITA.
Hilton faced cyberattacks in 2014 and 2015 that put more than 363,000 customer accounts at risk amid credit card data breaches, the BBC reported in 2017.
Perhaps the best-known cyberattack in the hotel sector involved Marriott in 2018, when the data of 500 million guests from Starwood Hotels & Resorts (which Marriott acquired in 2016) was breached in one of the largest data security failures of all time. Marriott faced significantly smaller data breaches in 2020 and 2022.
How to protect yourself
It is still unclear if MGM's cybersecurity issue involves a data breach, but if that does end up being the case and you think you might be affected, it is important to monitor banking and credit card information to prevent any form of identity theft, McAfee reports.
Change your online passwords, and look into receiving credit monitoring.
The computer security software provider also notes you should place a fraud alert with one of the major credit agencies (Equifax, Experian or TransUnion), and it will notify the other two.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.